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Who We Are

After School Matters is a nonprofit organization that offers an array of high quality, out-of-school time opportunities for Chicago teens. Founded in 1991 by Chicago’s First Lady Maggie Daley and Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Lois Weisberg as the gallery37 summer arts program, After School Matters has grown to offer 25,000 program opportunities annually at more than 150 locations throughout the city. Our unique and diverse offerings include programs in five content areas:

  • gallery 37: Visual, media, culinary and performing arts
  • science 37: Science, engineering and math
  • sports 37: Sports, health and fitness
  • tech 37: Web site development, television/video production, digital photography and hardware/software development
  • words 37: Literature, journalism, photojournalism, community and social development

All of our programs are free to Chicago teen residents. Our hands-on, project-based programs introduce teens to rewarding careers and help them develop marketable job skills. Teens who join our core program model – the apprenticeship – receive stipends as financial incentive and as reinforcement of the accountability that comes with a job opportunity. Our internship program model allows teens to refine their critical workplace skills and utilize their professional skills in a business, government or non-profit setting. After School Matters also offers unpaid club programs that allow teens to explore new interests and socialize with their peers in safe, structured environments.

We provide these programs through a network of public and private partnerships that include the City of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the Chicago Public Library and community-based organizations throughout the city. By anchoring out-of-school time opportunities around community organizations and "campuses"–each consisting of a public high school and a nearby park and library– After School Matters maximizes the use of existing public infrastructure and invigorates neighborhoods.

Mrs. Daley continues to serve as chairperson of After School Matters, which has become a nationally-recognized model for best practices for after–school programs serving teens.

Please click here to learn more about how you can support our efforts to expand access to After School Matters programs to even more Chicago teens.